A dental crown is a restoration that covers or “caps” your tooth. It can be made of metal, ceramic, or porcelain and typically attached to the tooth with cement.
Tooth decay, an injury to the teeth, poorly fitting dentures, and damage due to grinding are just some reasons you might need a crown. Crowns are not meant to replace fillings, but instead, they work best when used in conjunction with them.
They offer additional strength and support for weakened teeth – especially those who have experienced root canal treatments, increasing their longevity. Today’s dental crowns can also last up to five years without requiring repair or replacement! There are many benefits associated with getting a dental crown. Here are the top five reasons you might consider getting them:
- Maintain or restore appearance
Crowns can be placed on top of existing fillings, restoring your tooth’s original appearance when cared for properly. In addition, if you have a severely damaged tooth, they’ll protect it from fracturing further so that the problem doesn’t worsen over time. Crowns are also helpful in covering teeth with large fillings.
This is important because improperly filled cavities look unappealing and fail to maintain good dental health and hygiene – increasing your risk of experiencing decay and gum disease. By preventing such problems, crowns will help ensure that your teeth continue looking great!
- Protect damaged teeth
Crowns help protect the strength, structure, and integrity of your teeth. They also prevent damage if you grind or clench your teeth at night, leading to jaw pain, headaches, and worn tooth enamel over time.
Crowns play a critical role in preventing potentially severe oral health problems associated with these habits! If you have any dental issues caused by grinding or clenching your teeth at night, contact us today for an exam so that we can discuss the best options available to you!
- Strengthen weak or fractured teeth
If you’ve experienced a breakage due to trauma – especially if this has happened on multiple occasions – it might be wise to get a crown. This helps ensure that your tooth receives the necessary support to heal and that it won’t break or fracture further.
Because they’re bonded into place, crowns also help protect the integrity of your tooth and prevent an infection from occurring in its root canal. According to Dr. Rod Kurthy, “… studies suggest that teeth with restorations (fillings) had significantly lower survival rates than did non-restored teeth.” With this in mind, we always recommend getting crowns instead of fillings, when possible!
- Restore chewing function
If you have issues chewing food due to missing or damaged teeth, a dental crown can help restore your ability to chew easily. This is especially beneficial if you’re missing one or more teeth in the back of your mouth because it can help prevent your jaw from being misaligned or making you more prone to the jaw or facial pain.
- Provide a solution for badly damaged teeth
There are many situations when a dental crown can help save a tooth from being extracted. If you have extensive decay or fracture due to trauma that affects the entire surface of your tooth, this could make it hard for us to repair using fillings alone. In cases like this, we’ll need to place a dental crown on top of the tooth after removing the decayed area to restore your smile and relieve your symptoms.
What to Consider Before Getting a Dental Crown
Dental crowns may be an excellent choice for you. However, if your tooth is weakened by decay or has experienced extensive damage on its surface, it might not be realistic for us to try placing one without addressing the underlying issue.
If your tooth isn’t structurally sound enough – due to the extent of the problem with your enamel or root canal system – it will be difficult for us to keep the crown in place and ensure its durability. Therefore, in cases where a tooth is badly damaged, we always recommend getting a root canal first – before receiving a crown. Ask us today for more information about this!
3 Steps to Getting a New Tooth with a Dental Crown
First and foremost, let us know you’re interested in receiving a crown! Then, we’ll go over the details of your treatment and determine whether or not it’s necessary to address any other problems. This will ensure that you receive the ideal solution for restoring your tooth to its natural state. Second, let us prepare your tooth for receiving a crown.
Based on your treatment plan, we’ll remove any decay or other issues before placing a temporary restoration that will protect the tooth until you return for your permanent crown. Third, come back to our office so that we can place your final dental crown! We’ll make sure it fits smoothly and comfortably in your mouth – restoring function while providing an aesthetic result that enhances your smile. To specify:
- Schedule an appointment
Before receiving a dental crown, you’ll need to visit our office for an exam and X-rays. This way, we can evaluate whether the tooth requiring restoration is structurally sound enough to support it – or if additional repair or root canal therapy is required. Once this assessment has been completed, we will be able to discuss the different crown options available and advise you on which one is best for your case.
- Take impressions
To receive a dental crown, we’ll need an impression of your tooth. This will be created using a special material that will harden once it’s been placed inside your mouth and then removed. It will take a few minutes to complete and provide a replica of your tooth’s surface – which we’ll then use as a model for crafting the crown.
- Receive your permanent restoration
About two weeks after you’ve had the initial impression, you’ll return to our office so that we can place your new dental crown! In most cases, this process will only take a few minutes and can be completed during one of your regularly scheduled appointments. Your new crown will fit perfectly and restore the aesthetics of your smile!
If you ever need a dental crown or anything regarding your dental health, don’t hesitate to call us today at River District Smiles! We only want to give you the best shot for your dental health!
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